News

The Queen visits Chelmsford and Felsted School on memorable tour of Essex

THE Queen was told “the only way is Essex” as thousands of people turned out to welcome her to the county.

Her Majesty visited Chelmsford Cathedral for a service marking the centenary of the Chelmsford Diocese before heading along to Felsted School in north Essex to mark its 450th birthday.

The Queen, visiting alongside the Duke of Edinburgh, wore a cream dress and matching hat and was given three big cheers and a warm welcome from those who had gathered to see her at the cathedral - her first visit there since 1988.

Once inside the cathedral, she listened to a sermon from the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Revd Stephen Cottrell, who managed to crack a joke about TOWIE.

He said: “We serve the most rural, the most urban, the most coastal, and I wish to add, the most glorious diocese in the Church of England. You name it; here in the Diocese of Chelmsford, we've got it.

“Yes, you could even say, the only way is Essex, but I want to tell you about a better way and its roots in this old county - the way of Jesus Christ.”

Laura Murphy, 27, dived out of her office to catch a glimpse of the Royals.

She said: “We were really excited to her. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to the Queen where you live. You could feel and see the excitement of the people that were here.”

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The Chelmsford Diocese takes in the whole of Essex and five east London boroughs and pupils from schools including The Cathedral School made up the choir.

Following the service, and before heading on to Felsted School, the Royals visited the Diocese offices opposite the cathedral, where they met with staff and volunteers.

Hundreds of people gathered to wave their flags and welcome the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to Felsted School.

Pupils and teachers lined the road outside the school and were joined by an ever-growing crowd of excited villagers and spectators, who filled the air with cheers and applause as the royal couple emerged from their cars just after 12.30pm.

Among the crowd were friends Maureen Reeve, 72, and Veronica Chopping, 74, both of Chestnut Walk, in Felsted.

Miss Chopping said: "We have been waving our flags at everyone as well as the Queen.

"I saw her before when she came to the cathedral in Chelmsford many years ago. But it’s more exciting this time because we were closer to her and this is where we live."

After a rousing welcome from spectators, the royal couple were greeted by Dr Michael Walker, headmaster of the school, head boy Sam Seacombe, head girl Lydia Carrington and other officials.

Once inside they were treated to a celebratory lunch before her Majesty unveiled two plaques in the Lord Riche Hall, to mark the 450th anniversary and commemorate the rebuilding of Follyfield House Boarding House, which was lost to a fire in 2012 and recently rebuilt.

The school choir sang a specially-composed anthem before the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were presented with a bunch of flowers, by pupil Mary Alcott, and with a Felsted teddy bear by prefect Oliver Stonahan, 13.

After the visit, the Queen and her husband made their way to their helicopter before taking off to grand applause.

So the undemocratic head of the country visited a Cathedral ( last census has under a million people visit a Christian Church on a Sunday out of a population of 60 million ) and she visited a private school.

How representative of the main concerns of the nation? How democratic? Time for them to go....

Let's have a democracy in this country.

Boring.
So the undemocratic head of the country visited a Cathedral ( last census has under a million people visit a Christian Church on a Sunday out of a population of 60 million ) and she visited a private school.
How representative of the main concerns of the nation? How democratic? Time for them to go....
Let's have a democracy in this country.Jack222

That’s a pretty foul and uncalled for comment JB. Not exactly in accordance with spirit of intent of the BWT Readers’ Comments Facility by any stretch of the imagination is it? I shouldn’t think it will stay published for too long once the Editor wakes up.

Especially repugnant when HM is clearly not able to reciprocate – or can she?...

I wouldn’t be surprised if some of her loyal aids weren’t rummaging around Berkeley Castle right now looking for a certain old copper poker of Edward II vintage - whilst simultaneously popping your co-ordinates into the Sat Navs of a couple of big four by fours with tinted windows.

'Shame on you' ---or should I be saying ‘up yours’.

Rather you than me fella!

That’s a pretty foul and uncalled for comment JB. Not exactly in accordance with spirit of intent of the BWT Readers’ Comments Facility by any stretch of the imagination is it? I shouldn’t think it will stay published for too long once the Editor wakes up.
Especially repugnant when HM is clearly not able to reciprocate – or can she?...
I wouldn’t be surprised if some of her loyal aids weren’t rummaging around Berkeley Castle right now looking for a certain old copper poker of Edward II vintage - whilst simultaneously popping your co-ordinates into the Sat Navs of a couple of big four by fours with tinted windows.
'Shame on you' ---or should I be saying ‘up yours’.
Rather you than me fella!OMPITA [Intl]

OMPITA wrote:
That’s a pretty foul and uncalled for comment JB. Not exactly in accordance with spirit of intent of the BWT Readers’ Comments Facility by any stretch of the imagination is it? I shouldn’t think it will stay published for too long once the Editor wakes up.

Especially repugnant when HM is clearly not able to reciprocate – or can she?...

I wouldn’t be surprised if some of her loyal aids weren’t rummaging around Berkeley Castle right now looking for a certain old copper poker of Edward II vintage - whilst simultaneously popping your co-ordinates into the Sat Navs of a couple of big four by fours with tinted windows.

'Shame on you' ---or should I be saying ‘up yours’.

Rather you than me fella!

probably would happen in a few countrys too, a very jail-able offence infact, surprised the Echo have let it remain.

[quote][p][bold]OMPITA [Intl][/bold] wrote:
That’s a pretty foul and uncalled for comment JB. Not exactly in accordance with spirit of intent of the BWT Readers’ Comments Facility by any stretch of the imagination is it? I shouldn’t think it will stay published for too long once the Editor wakes up.
Especially repugnant when HM is clearly not able to reciprocate – or can she?...
I wouldn’t be surprised if some of her loyal aids weren’t rummaging around Berkeley Castle right now looking for a certain old copper poker of Edward II vintage - whilst simultaneously popping your co-ordinates into the Sat Navs of a couple of big four by fours with tinted windows.
'Shame on you' ---or should I be saying ‘up yours’.
Rather you than me fella![/p][/quote]probably would happen in a few countrys too, a very jail-able offence infact, surprised the Echo have let it remain.DogsMessInLeigh

So the undemocratic head of the country visited a Cathedral ( last census has under a million people visit a Christian Church on a Sunday out of a population of 60 million ) and she visited a private school.

How representative of the main concerns of the nation? How democratic? Time for them to go....

Let's have a democracy in this country.

Excellent post. couldn't have put it better myself.
Now wait for the deluded creepy crawlies to tell us it only costs us two pence a year each.

[quote][p][bold]Jack222[/bold] wrote:
Boring.
So the undemocratic head of the country visited a Cathedral ( last census has under a million people visit a Christian Church on a Sunday out of a population of 60 million ) and she visited a private school.
How representative of the main concerns of the nation? How democratic? Time for them to go....
Let's have a democracy in this country.[/p][/quote]Excellent post. couldn't have put it better myself.
Now wait for the deluded creepy crawlies to tell us it only costs us two pence a year each.ekcoanarak

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but why
disrespect a dignified elderly lady who does
work hard at an age when most have been
taking it easy for years.
If you do not like our Queen why read the
report in the first place & then try to stir an
argument. You obviously have no life.
Very sad people!!

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but why
disrespect a dignified elderly lady who does
work hard at an age when most have been
taking it easy for years.
If you do not like our Queen why read the
report in the first place & then try to stir an
argument. You obviously have no life.
Very sad people!!Snowthorne

Jack222 wrote: Boring. So the undemocratic head of the country visited a Cathedral ( last census has under a million people visit a Christian Church on a Sunday out of a population of 60 million ) and she visited a private school. How representative of the main concerns of the nation? How democratic? Time for them to go.... Let's have a democracy in this country.

Excellent post. couldn't have put it better myself. Now wait for the deluded creepy crawlies to tell us it only costs us two pence a year each.

Too right.

She's a tax-thieving scrounger effectively.

Oooooh let's all love the old biddy.

[quote][p][bold]ekcoanarak[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Jack222[/bold] wrote: Boring. So the undemocratic head of the country visited a Cathedral ( last census has under a million people visit a Christian Church on a Sunday out of a population of 60 million ) and she visited a private school. How representative of the main concerns of the nation? How democratic? Time for them to go.... Let's have a democracy in this country.[/p][/quote]Excellent post. couldn't have put it better myself. Now wait for the deluded creepy crawlies to tell us it only costs us two pence a year each.[/p][/quote]Too right.
She's a tax-thieving scrounger effectively.
Oooooh let's all love the old biddy.oOI Daza IOo